Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 4

November 4, 2013 Alyson Beecher

In order to manage 30 gratitude posts this month, I am giving myself the freedom to keep things short. For the 4th day of November, here are a few things that I am thankful for...

....getting to work on a daily basis with some amazing women in the Student Support Office at my District. They are smart, caring, hard-working, and incredibly helpful.

....an opportunity to have dinner with friends.

....watching my friend's 7 year old light up when I brought her books.

....and since this is also picture book month, here is my daily picture book recommendation:

Sophie's Squash

by Pat Zietlow Miller; Illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf

Schwartz & Wade (August 6, 2013)

What are you thankful for?

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 3

November 3, 2013 Alyson Beecher

Independent Bookstores! Yep, that's what I am very thankful for today. I am especially lucky that I have several in close proximity to home and work. I am fully aware that some people do not even have one near them. I do my best to support as many of these indies so that they will continue to be around.

Here are just two of my favorites - I love Maureen Palacio, Kris Vreeland and the rest of the staff at Once Upon a Time Bookstore in Montrose, California. OUaT is small but has incredible author events and the best service.

My other frequent bookstore hangout is Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena. It's been around for 120 years and it has an incredibly large children's and young adult section. A definite must visit if you come to Pasadena.

....and since this is also picture book month, here is my daily picture book recommendation:

FOSSIL

created/illustrated by Bill Thomson

Two Lions (November 5, 2013)

This is Thomson's follow-up to CHALK. It is wonderful, and it comes out on Tuesday. Quick, go order it! :-)

What are you thankful for?

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 2

November 2, 2013 Alyson Beecher

One of the things that I took for granted when I lived in New England was how amazing the leaves were in the fall. Since I moved to California, I have learned to be much more appreciative of what few deciduous trees we have in Pasadena.

Today as I was driving along Sierra Madre Boulevard, I was thankful for whoever decided to plant lots of them along the sides of this road. For a minute, I forgot I was in Southern California and thought I was transported back to New England. I took a moment to share with my 7 year old niece, in the back seat, why I was thankful for the colored leaves.

Somehow, I need to go back and get a photo of those gorgeous leaves to keep reminding me of why I am so thankful.

....and since this is also picture book month, here is my daily picture book recommendation:

THANKSGIVING DAY THANKS

by Laura Malone Elliott

Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger

Katherine Tegen Books (August 27, 2013)

What are you thankful for?

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 1

November 1, 2013 Alyson Beecher

Today is the first day of November. Its the month that we celebrate Thanksgiving. However, so often food preparation and eating, holiday sales, and general busy lives crowd out time to express gratitude. I have a lot to be thankful for and need to take a moment to acknowledge those things.

So, today I am thankful for....

.....the community of friends that surround me and remind me of how rich my life really is.

.....homemade brownies baked with snickers that a friend made.

....a moment of quiet to reflect on all the amazing things in the world.

Also, today kicks of Picture Book Month. And what better way to celebrate than by reading...